Bees Saal Baad: Return to Pilani

Exit

We left for Delhi on Sunday, March 12th. I got lazy and opted for a taxi. Besides, they were lined up along Nutan and easily available, so why not?

Overall, the entire Pilani trip was excellent. We got to revisit precious memories, to learn about students and the new additions to campus, and finally, to contribute a little to the mess servants.

I hear this repeatedly at BITS gatherings: friends made in those days are friends for life. This was one of the messages we highlighted in our talk with current students: make the most of these years in building the friendships that will not only last a lifetime but become an essential part of your life. Friends are power supreme.

I'm not sure when I will be able to visit again. I've committed to helping BITS in some academic ways, so it may not be too far in the future. Somehow, I don't think those future trips will hold the anticipation, surprise and warmth of this trip.

Lastly, please consider contributing to BITS in any one of a number of ways:

• Students would love for alumni to come back and talk about their experiences, provide career/life advice. To arrange such a visit, get in touch with a faculty member. You may have to do this repeatedly, India-style, until you get a response.
• You can make donations, as many alumni already have, directly to BITS. These can be earmarked if you like. See the BITS alumni site www.bitsaa.org for details.
• Help the lives of and improve conditions for mess servants. They surely have the most contact with students and are easily the least provided for. You can do this by earmarking your donation or by sending something directly.

Note: For other BITS pictures, see:

• Anil Shende's pictures of his 2001-02 sabbatical in BITS and our joint trip to BITS-Goa in Dec 2005.
• Raju Varghese's pictures and commentary from the '72 batch silver jubilee.

Acknowledgements: Thanks, first, to my genial and accomodating host, Prof. Sundar Balasubramanium, who not only put up with my incessant email requests but then found the time to walk me around and make sure every loose end was tied up. Thanks to Sridhar for accompanying me, remembering what I couldn't, for taking better pictures and for regaling me with stories from our past. Finally, thanks to the students who so graciously gave of their time, the faculty who were extremely welcoming (all the way to the top) and the fabulous hospitality of Pilani stalwarts like Kapoorji and Raju (at Nutan).